Girls To The Front!; A Privileged Punk Fantasy, Also Known As Riot Grrrl 

– Written by Kayla Karlsson –

“WHEN SHE TALKS I HEAR THE REVOLUTION!” 

Riot Grrrl, it’s loud, abrasive, unapologetic and politically fueled. A genre that made waves in the male-dominated, boy club, that was called punk rock. Punk was one of the most critical movements in music, expressing and pushing a political agenda, driven by a desire to destroy the status quo and bring equity to all. Although punk sought out to rebel against earlier generations’ ideas on political and social norms, women were systematically marginalized and excluded. The punk scene had always expressed they had no room for women, as it was driven by anger, which most women were not allowed to express. The scene itself furthers this prejudice by showing women they were not allowed to coexist within these spaces. Women would get assaulted, pushed to the back of shows, and when they attempted to make a household name in the genre, they would become footnotes.

The idea that women lack anger and the ability to create social change, was driven by decades of sexism and hardcore objectification. Riot Grrrl slowly emerged from the post-Reagan era, as the Bush administration began challenging Roe. V Wade. The second-wave feminism movement began dwindling out, and there was a surge of post-feminist culture, denying the rape and suffrage of women. During this time period, a new movement began to creep into the punk scene in 1991, in Olympia Washington. The movement would slowly gain traction in the punk rock and feminist community, in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast, then across the country, eventually making its rounds around the world. Riot Grrrl would be an explosive counterculture, displaying ideologies of third-wave feminism and resisting a patriarchal society. 

The movement did not start out submerged in music- it began through zines, and pamphlets that displayed feminist art depicting topics like rape, sexism, and the exclusion that was entrenched in the male-dominated punk scene. Zines were DIY and would be a takeover of the means of production, displaying women actively engaging in cultural production, and the creation of their own music and ideas, rather than using existing materials. They explored a diverse range of topics like sex work, fatphobia, mental illness, queer rights and racism. The movement was revolutionary at the time, but feminism, like most things in society, is complex and forever merging and changing to fit new norms, sanctions and ideologies that better capture the complexity that women face.

As a feminist, this movement speaks volumes to me. As much as I can critique the movement, it did create serious change in the music industry for punk, hardcore, and metal agencet women. It’s a celebration of everything women have been told is wrong or undesirable about them. I believe the movement itself was desperately needed during its time period, but fundamentally, it lacked intersectionality and the inclusion it so desperately desired. The scene, although not wanting to be racist, lacked the accountability and social awareness that they should have had for women of color in the community. Bands like Hole, led by singer-songwriter Courtney Love are the epitome of fake liberal feminism, lacking intersectionality and the values that Riot Grrrl was supposed to have. Courtney Love was the most blatant example of how the movement got watered down by a brand of feminism that can only be described as non-inclusive and lacking the ideas that black, queer, and trans feminists have. Riot Grrrl nurtured the idea that a woman should be strong-willed and opinionated, unfortunately allowing women like Courtney to have their behavior fly under the radar for way too long. I find it concerning that many still see her as the peak feminist icon when in reality her feminism ignores racism, transphobia, classism and many other key issues that punk should tackle. White riot girls had a skewed and basic idea of how to be an ally to their black female counterparts, but it was performative at best. They often criticized the male, white, bourgeoisie as the end all evil, without recognizing the harm white women can, and do, to the black community. Black women never got the chance to truly dive into the movement as they had the barrier of racialization before their identity as women. As allies to the community, it’s important to call awareness to the explicit racism in hardcore scenes. Metal and punk alike have expanded their horizons and changed for the better, but there is still a lot of work needed to be done in the scene. 

I believe it is our duty as white allies to uplift and share the voices of marginalized communities and groups. Feminism is critical for us to be liberated as a society, but not without all women at the front. Women are exceptionally powerful in communities and girlhood is so important when forming social movements. We must look out for one another and we must stay radical. Black women, queer women, disabled women, trans women, WOC, all must be equally liberated in their gender identity and their intersectionality, for us to truly be free from the patriarchy. With that being said, I compiled a list of WOC hardcore/punk bands that deserve the love and attention that their white female counterparts are getting in the scene.

JULESISDEAD is one of those sensations that are so incredibly fun to listen to. Jules has a beautiful, angelic voice, combined with nostalgic emo melodies and riffs that make them so incredibly enticing. Eternally (undeath) reminds me of the pop rock superstars of the 2000s, and there is clearly so much feminine strong energy that alludes from them. JULESISDEAD recently performed at WWWYF, and I can not wait to see what they do next. 

GIVE ME SOMETHING WORTH VOTING FOR 

The Tuts are the epitome of unapologetically feminist, showcasing what Riot Grrrl was formerly supposed to be about. They are a queer WOC who express themselves through quirky lyricism, expressive vocal work and upbeat rhythms. They are all for giving power to the people, liberating and freeing Palestine, expressing queer love, and overall gender equality. 

DAMBE 

Dambe is a black hardcore band from Brampton that has some of the most distinctive screams and diabolic breakdowns I’ve heard in a while. This band is so unique and interesting as they only have three members, but still produce such coherent-sounding rhythms and riffs. Their sound is incredibly powerful and I’d best describe it as, “ riffs you can break your teeth on.. Guttural, authentic, and rhythmic.” I am beyond exhilarated to see how they grow and their sound matures and changes. I’d keep them on your radar and expect incredible things! There has to be something about Brampton because they keep producing such talented musicians…